Pretty Custom Little Girls' Hats

This winter, I spent a considerable amount of time completing custom hat orders!  They were so fun to do, and I am very pleased with the results.  I used Debbie Bliss organic, free trade Ecobaby cotton yarn.  So soft and a perfect weight for spring.

These hats were made by eyeballing photos posted on Facebook, as the original pattern was written in Russian. (I found the only English translation I could find to be incomprehensible to me.)  They are beautiful, yet time consuming, so I likely won't make them for general sale - just custom orders.

Versatile Designs for Variable Weather

The weather has been so topsy-turvy here, I never know what I'm going to need from morning to evening to stay comfortable!  Two days ago our high was 84 degrees F and humid. This morning it was in the high 30's, and by late afternoon it reached 60 degrees F with a cool breeze.

Soooo.... I've been working on some designs that can function as either scarves or shoulder wraps. I like the pairing of a geometric mesh stitch paired with a shell or puff stitch pattern.  I am striving for a more modern look with just a touch of softness.

I'm using Debbie Bliss Ecobaby fair trade sport weight organic cotton yarn.  Very soft and just right for adding a little warmth around the neck, or a cool cover over the shoulders in the sun.

Ecofriendly Yarn Hunt!

I am on a serious hunt for additional sources of ecofriendly yarns!  I am specifically looking for fiber grown and processed in the USA, but I am not limiting myself completely to USA products.  I am investigating buying wholesale supplies in order to offer the yarns themselves to my customers over the coming year, in addition to my finished items.  So far, I've found some really interesting ventures, and I will post here as well as on Facebook about them as I go.

First, I'll start locally (for me):  Home Again Farm, 37098 Schell Road & Route 26, Theresa, NY 13691-2226; 315-628-5302; http://www.homeagainfarmalpacas.com/

Home Again Alpaca Farm was originally established in 1831 as a dairy farm, and is now owned and operated by the family's sixth generation.  They converted to alpaca farming in 2005, and have a current herd of 20 alpacas. The farm also grows grapes for local wineries.

Home Again encourages "slow, 'drive by' viewing" or calling to make an appointment for a full farm tour and personal introduction to the alpacas.  Schools and organizations are encouraged to visit!  Experiencing the farm is truly a joyous treat - I wrote about my family's 2010 visit here:  http://lindagibbshandmade.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-visit-with-alpacas.html

The farm also has a lovely gift shop that offers yarn and roving made from the fur of the alpacas on the farm.  The yarn is processed near Syracuse, about 100 miles away.  If you are not a fiber artist or crafter, they offer many finished items made with alpaca yarns by both local artisans and by artists in collectives in South America, supporting alpaca and human well being in Peru.

First Attendance of a Needle Arts Show!

This past weekend I attended the Pittsburg Knit and Crochet Show (www.pghknitandcrochet.com) in Pittsburgh, PA!  This was the 10th year the show has been presented. It was the perfect show to get my feet wet at this type of event, and I came away renewed and refreshed, ready to try my hand at more jewelry, some art pieces, and working with hemp and linen this summer.

A cadre of experienced fiber arts instructors offered a wide variety of classes for knitters and crocheters at any level.  Special events included a pj party, a keyote dinner and book signings with well-known author Debbie Macomber, who also has a new yarn line out, and brunch with pattern designer and author Nicki Epstein.  The show also included a large vendor market, with yarn makers and retailers from as far as Texas and Maine, plus a rotating trunk show, with 30-45 minute presentations by different pattern designers, yarn producers and yarn retailers.  It was so much fun to see and touch items that I've seen pictured in pattern books 'live and in person.'

Meeting so many wonderful people in one place who were just as (or even more!) passionate than me about yarn and crochet was a joy.  I was happy to be able to offer others my tips, and to receive fantastic tidbits from others.  I fully enjoyed the Freeform Crochet class I took, led by Lauren Etling, who was warm, charming and fantastic at teaching. 

I definitely intend on attending another event in the future. Next time, I'd like to either travel with one or more fellow fiber fanatics, or meet up with a few at the conference.  Especially at any larger markets, it would help to have several people working together cruising the marketplace for deals and particular fibers.  I needed the two days to see everything at this one!

Cold Weather Crochet Mojo

Even though I'm supposed to be working on spring and summer designs to have ready for the upcoming seasons, I can't get myself to switch gears just yet!  It is fortunate for me, then, that there is still time for me to get in some last gasp winter hats, scarves and mitts with Valentine and St. Patrick's Day themes before I must move on!

I'm still loving the colorways of Lion Brand's Amazing yarn.  This yarn is just over half wool, blended with acrylic, for warmth and softness.  It is wonderful to work with.  The hats and cowls I've made this year with this yarn have been customer favorites.  Great photos here:  http://www.facebook.com/lindagibbshandmade.

One more week to get my cold weather crochet mojo used up, and then it's on to spring and summer!

Promoting the Paddock Market Venue to Customers

This fall I have participated as a vendor at the Paddock Arcade Fall Market for the third year in a row.  This has been another great opportunity to extend the market season for my products, with vendors there every Wednesday, 9am to 3pm, October to December.

I was worried that it would not run this year, as our dear friend Sandi McCarthy, who had coordinated the market for the past two years in a wonderful way, died suddenly last winter.  This October, when the hall was full of new and returning vendors , I really felt Sandi was there beaming.  Her former colleagues did a fine job of carrying the torch forward. 

I love this market, even though the hallway gets very cold and the traffic is slow.  In any case, we vendors always seem to have many a good laugh together, even if sales are nonexistent in any one week.  But traffic really needs to increase in order to keep vendors interested in coming back.

This is how I have tried to make more people aware of this market: 

1.  Word of Mouth - I tell everyone interested in my stuff that I am there every Wednesday, whether I am talking to someone at the hair salon, library or grocery store.  And I am there every Wednesday unless I am deathly ill.

2.  Customer Orders - If I am at a craft fair or somewhere other than the market, I will tell customers about the market.  I try to arrange to have them pick up any order they place at the market, so they become aware of the location and the wonderful things there.

3.  Coupons - This year I was behind the eight ball, but last year I printed up coupons for discounts and distributed them during the last month of the summer market, with discounts expiring at the end of December and the market schedule printed on the coupons.  This did bring in 2-3 customers last year. 

4.  Flyer Posting - This summer I posted the market flyer at my booth and talked it up to customers during the last 4 weeks of the outdoor, busy market.

5.  Facebook - I try never to miss posting a reminder about the Wednesday market on Tuesday evening, and then make several posts with pictures at intervals during market hours on Wednesday showing my and others' products to lure shoppers.

6.  Van Adverts - I bought markers that can write on glass, and wrote the market scheduled on the back window of my van!  Rainy and snowy weather has been a challenge for this, but I haven't really minded the frequent re-writes, and since I drive our van all over town so much, I think it MUST have some impact?!  Maybe I'll do a 'mention this window for a discount' message next season!

What? Summer's Over Already?!

I have been revisiting my online sites and realized that it has been WAY too long since I posted here!  I seriously cannot believe how fast this past spring and summer flew by for me.  What a blur.  A good blur, but a blur nonetheless.  Which is why I really have to post here more often to keep track!

A major development this summer was my having the opportunity to expand my inventory in a magical little shop where I sell on consignment - An Eclectic Boutique in Carthage, N.Y. 

http://www.facebook.com/aneclecticboutique

The boutique carries a little of everything from a variety of handmade vendors, mostly local artisans:  healthy olive oil based soaps, lotions and balms (made on premises!), antiques in the form of furniture,housewares and decor, vintage clothing and linens, vintage and handmade jewelry, beeswax candles, locally produced foods, hand crocheted accessories (of course), and so much more!  The only real way I can describe An Eclectic Boutique is that it is as if someone emptied only the best of what was in your grandparents' packed attic, cleaned and repaired it all, and arranged it for your treasure-hunting pleasure.

Even better than the wider exposure for my goods, due to this opportunity, are the connections I've made with fellow crafters and businesspeople, being able to support them while experiencing their support and encouragement as well.  I am continually learning something new and valuable through my engagement in this community, and I am so very grateful.